Rack for memory storage devices

ABSTRACT

A docking adapter for reliably inserting and removing a memory storage device from a memory storage device bay includes a rack and a removable carrier. The rack has a pair of lateral rails for holding the carrier. The carrier slidably engages the rails to enable the carrier to slide into the rack. The carrier is adapted for holding a hard disk drive. The carrier has a face with cooling fans, a cantilever mounted on the face for engaging the rack and a cover with a cam. The cover is hinged to the face. The cover rotates from a closed position where the cover parallels the face to an open position where the cover opens, pressing the cam against the cantilever against the rack to smoothly extract the carrier from the rack.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to a docking adapter for memorystorage devices and, more particularly mobile carrier and rackassemblies for hard disk drives and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Docking adapters removeably interconnect memory storage devicesto computer systems and memory storage device systems, for example.Docking adapters can provide many advantages over fixed hardwareincluding improved data security, optimization of data backup proceduresand sharing of vast amounts of data between non-integrated networks andsystems. Docking adapters can also enable multiple users, each with hisor her own hard drive, to use a single a machine without interferingwith operating settings and data of another.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,369 to Darden et al., the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a docking adapterfor a hard disk drive. The docking adapter includes a carrier forholding a hard drive and a rack that mounts in a computer housing. Aconnector is included on both the carrier and the rack. The carrierslides into the rack to couple the connectors. A key and lock areprovided with the rack to lock and unlock the carrier in the rack. Thecarrier has a fixed handle to enable removal of the hard disk drive fromthe rack when the carrier is unlocked.

[0004] One drawback to the fixed handle design is that an operator maymisalign the carrier with respect to the rack during insertion andremoval of the carrier. Should the operate wiggle the carrier with thefixed handle, the connector that couples the carrier with the rack maybe damaged.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,767 to Chen, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference, discloses a docking adapter having acarrier and a rack. The carrier has a rotatable handle. The handleincludes a disengagement mechanism (221) that cams directly against therack to urge the carrier from the rack when the handle lifts.

[0006] One drawback to the device disclosed by Chen is that the handlelifts. As the handle lifts, the disengagement mechanism rotates againstthe rack and adds to this lifting force. As a result, the frontalportion of the carrier experiences a lifting force that may misalign thecarrier with respect to the rack, damaging the connectors that couplethe carrier to the rack.

[0007] Both the Darden et al. device and the Chen device have a lockthat operates independently of the handle. When an over zealous operatorpulls on the handle when the carrier is locked, the docking adapter maybreak. What is desired is a way of preventing the carrier and rack frombeing damaged during use.

[0008] Hard disk drives generate heat. Chen provides for vents toconvectively cool any enclosed hard disk drive. The Chen device hasvents and appears to be fabricated from injection molded plastic, whichis typically a poor heat conductor. While the vents enable convectivecooling under certain conditions, convective cooling may fail in systemsthat lack enough space for sufficient air flow. What is desired is a wayof better cooling a hard disk drive in a mobile carrier and rackassembly.

[0009] Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08,926,874,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference introducesthe concept providing a hard drive with a heat sink. Heat sinks vastlyimprove conductive cooling of hard drives over the capabilities of aplastic carrier, for example.

[0010] Docking adapters have connectors for coupling carriers with therack. It has been found that durability of the connectors may becompromised due to excessive handling and repetitive insertion andremoval of the carrier from the rack. It is possible that that frictionbetween a plastic carrier and plastic rack can cause the carrier toresist movement in the rack. To overcome static friction, an operatormust force the carrier to move with respect to the rack. Forcing thecarrier may misalign the carrier and the rack and can ultimately causefailure of the data connector that couples the hard drive carrier withthe rack. What is desired is a way of minimizing any force required todock and undock a carrier and rack. What is also desired is a way toimprove docking adapter reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention includes a memory storage device carrierand rack. The carrier holds a memory storage device such as a hard diskdrive. The carrier smoothly inserts and removes the hard disk drive intoand out of a fixed rack. The rack may be fixed in a computer housing, ora memory storage device housing for example. The carrier of the presentinvention can carry hard disk drives, optical drives, floppy drives andother memory storage media.

[0012] The carrier is portable for moving a hard drive from one machineto another. Carriers may be adapted to enable alternate memory storagedevices, i.e. optical drives, PCMCIA drives, flash memory cards and harddisk drives to be interchanged in a single rack.

[0013] The rack is typically fixed in a hosing such as a computerhousing or a RAID tower, and the like. The rack has two lateral rails.Each rail includes a slide bearing for sliding the carrier into and outfrom the racks. While rails are disclosed for holding the slidebearings, it can be appreciated that the rack may be fully enclosed forholding the slide bearings, or the slide bearings may be integrated intoa computer housing, for example. Further, the rack rails may beintegrated into an external-type hard drive rack.

[0014] A cantilever mounts on the face for engaging the rack. A coverrotatably attaches to the carrier. The cover has an end that forms acam. The cover rotates from a closed position where the cover parallelsthe face to an open position. The cam presses the cantilever against therack as the cover opens.

[0015] The cantilever has a contoured end, a fulcrum region, and a fixedend. The fixed end is fixed to the face. The fulcrum region contacts thecam when the cover angles with respect to the face of the carrier. Thecontoured end of the cantilever engages one rail of the rack to undockthe carrier from the rack.

[0016] The cantilever is resilient and bends in response to rotation ofthe cam to dampen shock associated with insertion and removal of thecarrier from the rack. The fixed end of the cantilever attaches to thecenter of the face of the carrier to optimize alignment of the carrierwhen the carrier slides into the rack. The contoured end absorbs shocksuch as when the carrier is shoved into the rack. Bending of thecantilever further buffers the insertion of the carrier into the rack.The cantilever, however, is relaxed when the carrier inserts into therack and the cover is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a docking adapter in accordancewith the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the docking adapter of FIG. 1with the carrier sliding out from the rack.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the carrier cover.

[0020]FIG. 4 shows a top view of the present invention with the coverclosed.

[0021]FIG. 5 shows a top view of the present invention with the coveropening.

[0022]FIG. 6 shows a top view of the present invention with the coveropened.

[0023]FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the rack of FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the rack of FIG. 7.

[0025]FIG. 9 shows a rack integrated into a personal computer.

[0026]FIG. 10 shows the rack integrated into a memory storage devicetower.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a memory storage device docking adapter generallydesignated with the reference numeral 10. The docking adapter 10includes a carrier 12 and a rack 14. The carrier 12 has a cover 16 thatopens and closes to remove the carrier 12 from the rack 14. The carrier12 is particularly suited for housing a hard disk drive, or other memorystorage device. The carrier 12 is fabricated from sheet metal to conductheat from the carrier and to shield electromagnetic interference betweenelectronics housed by the carrier 12.

[0028]FIG. 2 shows the cover 16 opening and the carrier 12 sliding outfrom the rack 14 in the direction of the arrow 18. The carrier 12 has aface 20 and fans 22 mounted to the face 20 for blowing air through thecarrier 12 to convectively dissipate heat. The cover 16 is vented tofacilitate air flow though the carrier 12.

[0029] The cover 16 rotates from a closed position as shown in FIG. 1where the cover 16 lies parallel to the face 20 to an open positionwhere the cover 16 angles with respect to the face 20. The cover 16includes a hinged end 24 with a cam. When the cover 16 opens, the hingedend 24 rotates, causing the carrier 12 to slide out from the rack 14.

[0030] The rack has a backplane 26 and two lateral rails 32 and 33extending from the backplane for holding the carrier 12 in alignmentwith the rack 14. The carrier 12 slidably engages the rails 32 and 33 toenable the carrier 12 to slide out from and into the rack 14.

[0031] The rack 14 is fabricated from sheet metal for several reasons.Sheet metal e.g. steel is durable, conducts heat well and shieldselectromagnetic interference. The rails 32 and 33 are each fabricatedfrom a single piece of metal for ease of manufacture. Each rail 32 and33 includes integrated tabs 30 that attach to the rails 32 and 33 of thebackplane 26.

[0032]FIG. 3 shows the carrier 12 having the fans 22, the cover 16, acantilever 34 and a hinge pin 36. The carrier 12 face 20 has a center.The cantilever 34 attaches to the center of the face 20 so that forceapplied by the cantilever 34 to the face 20 will not significantlymisalign the carrier 12 with respect to the rack 14. The hinged end 24of the cover includes the cam 42.

[0033] The cantilever 34 has a fixed end 38 that mounts to the face 20of the carrier 12. The cantilever 34 includes a fulcrum region 40 thataligns with and contacts the cam 42 of the cover 16. The cantilever 34also includes a contoured end 44 that engages the rail 32 of the rack14.

[0034] When the cover 16 rotates from the closed position (FIG. 1) wherethe cover 16 parallels the face 20 to an open position (FIG. 2), the cam42 contacts the fulcrum region 40, pressing the contoured end 44 of thecantilever 34 against the rack 14.

[0035] The cantilever 34 is bifurcated having two legs 46. Each leg 46independently attaches to the center of the face 20. The bifurcatedcantilever 34 defines an opening 48 between the legs 46. The opening 48enables air to flow out of the carrier 12 through the fans 22 and thecantilever 34. It can be appreciated that the legs 46 can assume any ofa variety of configurations that allow air to pass through thecantilever. For example the legs may define a frame, grate, screen orother mechanism for enabling air to pass through the cantilever.

[0036] The cantilever 34 is resilient and bends. The cantilever 34 isformed with angled portions 50 that function as a leaf spring. Theangled portions 50 also distance portions of the cantilever 34 from theface 20 of the carrier 12. The angled portions 50 prevent the face 20from interfering with flexion of the cantilever 34 when the cantilever34 bends. Typically the cam 42 flexes and bends the cantilever 34 whenthe cam 42 rotates. The cantilever 34 flexes to dampen shock associatedwith removal of the carrier 12 from the rack 14.

[0037] The cantilever 34 also flexes during insertion of the carrier 12into the rack 14. When the contoured end 44 of the cantilever 34contacts the rail 32 of the rack 14, and the carrier 12 further insertsinto the rack 14, the cantilever 34 flexes to absorb shock. Such flexionpresses the fulcrum region 40 into the cam 42 to rotate the cam 42 andautomatically close the cover 16 when the cover 16 is open duringinsertion of the carrier into the rack. It can be appreciated, however,that it is preferred to closed the cover prior to inserting the carrier12 into the rack 14.

[0038] The contoured end 44 of the cantilever 34 has a lateral face 52and a posterior face 54. The lateral face 52 presses against one rail 32to laterally align the carrier 12 with respect to the lateral rail 32 ofthe rack 14. The rail 32 has an axis. The posterior face 54 opposes theface 20 of the carrier 12. The posterior face 54 presses against therail 32 when the cover 16 opens.

[0039] The rack 14 includes a lock 51 with a rotating cylinder 54 and alocking arm 56 attached to the lateral rail 33. The cylinder 54 rotatesthe locking arm 56 into contact with the cover 16 to lock the cover 16in the closed position. The locking arm 56 contacts the face 20 of thecarrier 12. The locking arm 56 thereby holds the carrier 12 in the rack14 by contacting both the face 22 of the carrier 12 and the cover 16.

[0040]FIG. 4 shows the lock 51 with the locking arm 56 extending throughan opening 58 in the cover 16. The locking arm 56 holds the cover 16 inthe closed position and holds the carrier 12 in the rack 14.

[0041]FIG. 5 shows the cover 16 opening. The cam 42 presses against thelever 34, causing the contoured end 44 of the lever 34 to press againstthe lateral rail 32 of the rack 14. The lateral face 52 of the contouredend 44 presses laterally against the lateral rail 32 of the rack 14 toalign the carrier 12 in the rack 14. The posterior face 54 of thecontoured end 44 presses against the lateral rail 32 in the direction ofthe arrow 60.

[0042] The fixed end 38 of the cantilever 34 against the center of theface 20 prevents the cantilever 34 from disturbing the alignment betweenthe carrier 12 and the rack 14. The operation of the cover 16, the cam42 and the lever cause sufficient force in the direction of the arrow 60to decouple the carrier 12 from the rack 14 while maintaining alignmentbetween the carrier 12 and the rack 14. Maintaining alignment isimportant to protect connectors that electronically couple the carrier12 with the rack 14.

[0043]FIG. 6 shows the carrier 12 sliding out from the rack 14. Theaction of the cam 42 and cantilever 34 against the rack 14 de-couplesthe carrier 12 from the rack 14.

[0044]FIG. 7 shows the carrier 12 in alignment with the rack 14. Therack 14 includes the back plane 26 having a connector 62 for couplingthe rack 14 with the carrier 12. The carrier has a connector 63 thatcouples with the connector 62.

[0045] The lateral rails 32 and 33 extend from the backplane 26 to alignthe carrier 12 with the connector 62. The lateral rails 32 and 33 have ainner sides 64 and a slide bearing 66 fixed to each inner side 64. Theslide bearing 66 has a smooth bearing surface 68 for sliding the carrieralong the rails 32 and 33.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the lateral rails 32and 33 are fabricated from sheet metal and the slide bearings 66 arefabricated from nylon. According to an alternate aspect of theinvention, the lateral rails 32 and 33 are fabricated from sheet metaland the slide bearings 66 are fabricated from a lubricous polymer. Itcan be appreciated that the bearing surface 68 conforms to whatevershape the carrier has so the bearing surface 68 may be planar,contoured, or may have various angles.

[0047]FIG. 8 shows each lateral rail 32 and 33 having an end cap 70 tomaintain the shape of each lateral rail 32 and 33 respectively. The lock52 mounts on one end cap 70.

[0048] The lateral rails 32 and 33 each include a groove 72 formed onthe inner sides 64 for receiving the slide bearing 66. The slide bearing66 has “T” shaped extension 74 that inserts into the groove 72 to holdthe slide bearing 66 with respect to the lateral rails 32 and 33,respectively.

[0049] The back plane 26 includes a vented section of sheet metal with aconnector opening, an adapter board 78, a frame 80 and connectors 82 and84. The connector 82 couples with the carrier 12 (FIG. 1), the otherconnector 84 couples with a hard drive controller, for example.

[0050]FIG. 9 shows a personal computer 90. The rack 14 is integratedinto a memory storage device bay of the personal computer 90. FIG. 10shows a memory storage device tower 100. Multiple racks 14 areintegrated into the memory storage device tower 100.

[0051] The present invention may be modified in any of a variety of wayswithout departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example,the slide bearings may include roller bearings and multiple rails thatslide with respect to each other such as commonly seen in desk, or filecabinet drawers. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is to belimited only by the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory storage device docking adapter,comprising: a carrier for holding a hard disk drive, the carrier has aface; a rack having two lateral rails, the carrier slidably engages therails to enable the carrier to slide into the rack; a cantilever mountedon the face for engaging the rack; and a cover with a cam, the cover ishinged to the face, the cover rotates from a closed position where thecover parallels the face to an open position where the cam presses thecantilever against the rack.
 2. A docking adapter as set forth in claim1 , wherein the cantilever has a contoured end, a fulcrum region, and afixed end, the fixed end is fixed to the face, the fulcrum region alignsfor contact with the cam, the contoured end engages one rail of therack.
 3. A docking adapter as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the facehas a center, the fixed end attaches to the center of the face.
 4. Acarrier and rack assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the faceincludes at least one fan to blow air through the docking adapter.
 5. Adocking adapter as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the cantilever isbifurcated having two legs, the cantilever defines an opening betweenthe legs to facilitate airflow through the fan.
 6. A docking adapter asset forth in claim 1 , wherein the cantilever is resilient and bends inresponse to the cam to dampen shock associated with insertion andremoval of the carrier from the rack.
 7. A docking adapter as set forthin claim 1 , wherein the cantilever has a contoured end having a lateralface and an posterior face, the lateral face presses against one rail tolaterally align the carrier with respect to the lateral rails of therack, the posterior face presses axially against the rail when the coveropens.
 8. A docking adapter as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the rackincludes a lock with a rotating cylinder and a locking arm attached toone lateral rail, the cylinder rotates the locking arm into contact withthe cover to lock the cover in the closed position.
 9. A docking adapteras set forth in claim 8 , wherein the locking arm contacts the face ofthe carrier thereby holding the carrier in the rack by contacting boththe face of the carrier and the cover.
 10. A memory storage devicedocking adapter, comprising: a carrier for holding a hard disk drive,the carrier has a face; a sheet metal rack having a back plane forholding a connector, and two lateral rails, the carrier slidably engagesthe rails to enable the carrier to slide into the rack; the rails areeach fabricated from a single piece of metal, each rail includesintegrated tabs that attach the rails to the backplane; a cantilevermounted on the face for engaging the rack; a cover with a cam, the coveris hinged to the face, the cover rotates from a closed position wherethe cover parallels the face to an open position where the cam pressesthe cantilever against the rack.
 11. A docking adapter as set forth inclaim 10 , wherein the cantilever has a contoured end, a fulcrum region,and a fixed end, the fixed end is fixed to the face, the fulcrum regionaligns for contact with the cam, the contoured end engages one rail ofthe rack.
 12. A docking adapter as set forth in claim 11 , wherein theface has a center, the fixed end attaches to the center of the face. 13.A docking adapter as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the face includesat least one fan to blow air through the docking adapter.
 14. A dockingadapter as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the cantilever is bifurcatedhaving two legs, the cantilever defines an opening between the legs tofacilitate airflow through the fan.
 15. A docking adapter as set forthin claim 10 , wherein the cantilever is resilient and bends in responseto the cam to dampen shock associated with insertion and removal of thecarrier from the rack.
 16. A docking adapter as set forth in claim 10 ,wherein the cantilever has a contoured end having a lateral face and anposterior face, the lateral face presses against one rail to laterallyalign the carrier with respect to the lateral rails of the rack, theposterior face presses axially against the rail when the cover opens.17. A docking adapter as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the rackincludes a lock with a rotating cylinder and a locking arm attached toone lateral rail, the cylinder rotates the locking arm into contact withthe cover to lock the cover in the closed position.
 18. A dockingadapter as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the locking arm contacts theface of the carrier thereby holding the carrier in the rack bycontacting both the face of the carrier and the cover.
 19. A rack forremoveably holding a memory storage device, comprising: a back planehaving a connector for coupling with a memory storage device carrier; apair of lateral rails extending from the backplane to align a memorystorage device carrier with the connector, the lateral rails have aninner sides; and a slide bearing fixed to the inner sides, the slidebearing has a smooth bearing surface for sliding the hard drive alongthe rails.
 20. A rack as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the lateralrails each include a groove formed on the inner sides for receiving theslide bearing.
 21. A rack as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the lateralrails each include a groove formed on the inner sides for receiving theslide bearing, the slide bearing has “T” shaped extension that insertsinto the groove to hold the slide bearing with respect to the lateralrails.
 22. A rack as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the lateral railsare fabricated from sheet metal and the slide bearing is fabricated fromnylon.
 23. A rack as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the lateral railsare fabricated from sheet metal and the slide bearing is fabricated froma lubricous polymer.